The heartbreaking case of 16-year-old Zariah Dodd has left the Phoenix community in shock and raised serious questions about the safety and oversight of Arizona group homes. The pregnant teen was reported missing after leaving a group home in Surprise, Arizona, where she was in state custody, on July 4th, only to be found shot to death at Marivue Park in Phoenix the next morning. The community wants answers about how this could have happened, including the team at Phillips Law Group.

As authorities continue to investigate her murder, troubling details have emerged about whether proper protocols were followed to protect her and whether negligence at the group home where she resided may have played a role in this tragedy.

Could Zariah Dodd’s Death Have Been Prevented?

At the time of her death, Zariah was living at Sunshine Residential, a group home in Surprise. She left the facility around 8 p.m. on the Fourth of July and was reported missing as a runaway to police four hours later, according to Fox10 Phoenix.

Zariah was six months pregnant at the time of her death. Around 6 a.m. the next morning, she was found dead with a gunshot wound at Marivue Park, and now, two suspects have been arrested – one of whom is the father of Dodd’s unborn child.

In the aftermath of this tragic incident, many are asking questions about how it even happened in the first place, and whether Zariah’s death could have been prevented. Jurrell Davis, 36, and Jechri James-Gillett, 18, are each facing two counts of first-degree murder in the case, and Davis has been named the father of Zariah’s unborn child.

But how did she become pregnant by a 36-year-old man while living at Sunshine Residential, and why was a vulnerable teen allowed to leave the group home unsupervised?

Group homes have a legal duty to provide a safe environment for minors in their care, especially those with known risks. If staff failed to monitor Zariah properly or neglected to report her missing in a timely manner, the facility could bear legal responsibility for her tragic death.

Group Home Negligence in Arizona

This case highlights a disturbing pattern of negligence in some Arizona group homes, where understaffing, lack of training, and poor supervision can put minors at risk. When facilities fail to uphold their duty of care, they must be held accountable.

“It’s another story that could have been prevented. Group home negligence here in Arizona is a crisis,” Olivia Lemorrocco, a spokesperson for Phillips Law Group, told Fox10.

If your loved one has suffered harm due to neglect or abuse in a group home in Arizona, you may have legal options. Arizona law allows families to pursue justice when facilities fail to protect vulnerable residents.

Indeed, Richilyn Fox – who was Zariah’s kinship caregiver and considered her a daughter – told Fox10 that she did not find out about her disappearance until the next day and that she feels Sunshine Residential should never have allowed Zariah to leave the facility on her own.

“Being able to just walk outside the street at seven o’clock at night, at dark, and you’re pregnant. As a parent, even if my child wasn’t in DCS, I wouldn’t allow that to happen,” she said.

When asked for comment, Sunshine Residential provided a statement to the outlet as follows:

The victim was pregnant prior to being welcomed at Sunshine’s Teen Mom Program due to Sunshine being one of only two licensed providers in the State of Arizona serving the parenting teen population. Sunshine’s Teen Mom Program is a non-restrictive placement designed to support pregnant and parenting teens in developing the skills needed for independent living. The program’s primary goal is to guide young mothers toward becoming wholesome, self-sufficient citizens through trauma-informed, strength-based care. The victim was a loved member of the Sunshine family, and we will not rest until justice is served to those who committed these heinous crimes.

Justice for Zariah and Others at Risk

While nothing can bring Zariah Dodd back, her case underscores the urgent need for stronger oversight of group homes and justice for victims of institutional negligence. If you believe negligence contributed to harm against your family member in a group home setting, our dedicated legal team can help.

At Phillips Law Group, we fight for victims of group home negligence and their families. If you suspect neglect or abuse led to injury or death, you deserve answers and accountability, and we may be able to assist you.

Call us at 602-222-2222 or fill out the form on this page to get in touch today for a free consultation and let us help you pursue the justice your loved one deserves. Because Zariah’s story should serve as a wake-up call: No family or loved ones should endure this kind of preventable loss.